Here’s When Child Support Legally Ends in MA

Marriage. For some, it lasts until a spouse passes away; for others, it doesn't last very long at all, and if you have children together, there's a lot to sort out. Interestingly enough, Massachusetts has a relatively low divorce rate compared to the rest of the country. According to the latest CDC data (which is from 2023), Massachusetts had a divorce rate of 1.8 divorces per 1,000 residents.

READ MORE: The Most Wanted Fugitives by Massachusetts State Police (photos)

Still, there are plenty of couples that struggle in their marriages and call it quits. As I mentioned before, if a divorce does occur, there's a lot to sort out, including custody, child support, and an ever-growing list.

Massachusetts Child Support Doesn't Necessarily End at Age 18

Speaking of child support, the money paid for support doesn't necessarily end when the child turns 18. There are certain instances when child support may continue beyond the age of 18. From ages 18-21, a court may continue child support if the child lives with a parent and is primarily dependent on that parent for support.

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Massachusetts Child Support Can Actually Continue Between the Ages of 21 and 23 

Another instance when support can continue for a child between the ages of 21 and 23 is if the child is dependent on a parent because the child is enrolled in an educational program.

So When Does Child Support Actually End in Massachusetts? 

Taking all of this information into account, child support will typically end for a child in Massachusetts after age 23. It's worth noting that the language and agreement in the actual court order determine when child support ends, which means that there are some exceptions and not everything is exactly black and white for when child support ends in Massachusetts.

Where to Get More Information

Mass.gov has a robust amount of child support information, and you can read more by going here.